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Symphony of the Seas is a larger version of Royal Caribbean's 2-year-old Harmony of the Seas, the previous size leader in the cruise world. It surpasses Harmony in size by more than 1,000 tons. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas features a massive water slide complex on its top deck called Perfect Storm. Royal Caribbean just began adding water slides to its ships in 2016. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The outdoor decks of Symphony of the Seas also include the Sports Court, a fun zone that includes a miniature golf course, zip line, basketball court and two FlowRider surfing simulators. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Adirondack-style chairs painted blue and orange offer passengers a place to lounge between rounds of miniature golf at the Sports Court area. The miniature golf course is called Symphony Dunes. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like sister ship Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas is home to a nine-deck-high slide called Ultimate Abyss. Passengers enter the attraction through the giant jaws of an angler fish. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

In a nod to longstanding Royal Caribbean tradition, the Royal Promenade on Symphony of the Seas features a car on display. But in a twist on that tradition, the "car" is actually a sculpture. Called Beetle Sphere, it's by artist Ichwan Noor and was made using original parts from a 1953 Volkswagon Beetle. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Just outside Boleros along Symphony of the Seas' Royal Promenade is a massive, 18-foot-high metallic sculpture by artist Gregor Kregar. Called Paradox Void, it was created by 1,200 laser-cut mirrored stainless steel triangles and 200 sections of LED lights, and it weighs three tons. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another shopping venue along Symphony of the Seas' Royal Promenade is The Shop, which sells Symphony of the Seas-branded items. It takes the place of the Kate Spade shop that is located in the same location on sister ship Harmony of the Seas. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among the most notable features on Symphony of the Seas is Central Park, a tree-lined area of specialty restaurants, bars and high-end shops that runs down the center of the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Izumi is an extra-charge restaurant on Symphony of the Seas. Signature sushi rolls (five to eight pieces) range in price from $13 to $17. Five pieces of sashimi is $10 for most types of fish. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Capable of carrying up to 6,680 passengers, Symphony of the Seas is not only the biggest cruise ship at sea but the fattest, with a width of 215.5 feet. Its water slides soar high above the ship's pool decks and tree-lined atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Arriving in the vicinity of Miami's cruise port before 3 a.m. on Friday, Symphony was met by fire boats spraying water in the air in celebration. It made a turn in the basin in front of Miami's Museum Park before docking at the port's new Terminal A around 4 a.m.

Symphony will be feted again late Friday with fireworks over the Miami harbor. But the ship's main coming out party in North America will take place next Thursday in Miami when it is christened by actors Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, along with their one-year-old son Ocean.

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Cruise hub Miami got its biggest ship ever on Friday as Royal Caribbean's giant new Symphony of the Seas arrived for the first time. At 228,081 tons, it's the largest cruise vessel ever built.
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The vessel will begin year-round, week-long sailings to the Caribbean out of Miami starting Nov. 17.

Designed for vacationers who love big, bustling mega-resorts, Symphony is built on the same platform as Royal Caribbean's 2-year-old Harmony of the Seas, the previous size leader in cruising. But it eclipses its sibling by more than 1,000 tons and offers several new features.

Among the additions are a first-of-its-kind, two-deck-high family suite with a slide between floors, a revamped Boardwalk amusement area, a new laser tag attraction and a new-for-Royal Caribbean seafood restaurant. Symphony also has more cabins than Harmony.

Shown here pulling into the Port of Miami for the first time on Nov. 9, 2018, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas measures 228,081 gross tons and can carry more than 6,000 passengers. Royal Caribbean International

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Like Harmony, Symphony also offers such gee-whiz attractions as a thrill slide that plunges nearly 100 feet and a "bionic bar" with a robot bartender. It boasts three main pool areas, a water slide complex, an adults-only solarium, an ice skating rink, two rock climbing walls, a basketball court and a mall-like indoor promenade with shops, bars and eateries. Like Harmony, it also has an open-air, tree-lined area called Central Park with restaurants, bars and upscale shops such as Bulgari.

Symphony can hold up to 6,680 passengers and sails with a crew of 2,200, meaning that on busy weeks it can be home to nearly 9,000 people.

The ship was constructed over three years at the giant Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France — the same shipyard that built Harmony. Built at a cost of more than $1 billion, it was delivered to Royal Caribbean in St. Nazaire on March 23 and has spent the past few months sailing out of Barcelona.

Symphony and Harmony are the latest, biggest vessels in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series. Two other Oasis Class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, debuted in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels have made waves in the cruise industry since they began debuting in 2009. All of the Oasis Class ships are in excess of 225,000 tons — more than 30% larger than the next largest cruise vessels.

With the addition of Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has 25 ships.

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Symphony of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class series, which began debuting in 2009. Slightly bigger than the three other ships in the class, it features several new-for-the-line features including a two-deck-high 'ultimate family suite.' Royal Caribbean International

Located at the back of Symphony of the Seas on Deck 17, the Ultimate Family Suite is one of the biggest suites on the ship and features a smorgasbord of family-friendly amenities. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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There was a time when the most exciting thing on the top deck of a cruise ship was a small pool. Or maybe a shuffleboard court. But those days are long gone. In recent years, cruise lines such as Carnival have been loading the top decks of their ships with ever more elaborate fun zones. Carnival Cruise Line

Many of the biggest cruise ships operated by Carnival and other big-ship lines now feature massive water parks. This is the WaterWorks water park on Carnival's 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

A deck-top view of Carnival Breeze shows the massive WaterWorks water park, which overlooks an outdoor pool area. Across from the water park is another outdoor fun zone with games and other attractions. Carnival Cruise Line

In addition to water slides, Carnival and other lines have been adding outdoor recreation complexes to the top of ships that include ropes courses, jogging tracks, miniature golf courses, ping pong, foosball and other games. Andy Newman Carnival Cruise Lines

The line that is best known for deck-top amusements on ships is Royal Caribbean. Its latest vessel, Symphony of the Seas, boasts what's billed as the tallest slide at sea, the nine-deck-high Ultimate Abyss. Roy Riley / sbw-photo

New features that have been added to the outdoor decks of cruise ships in recent years include themed eateries, such as the Johnny Rockets outlets found on several Royal Caribbean ships. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Innovation in deck-top attractions on cruise ships in recent years extends to offerings for the youngest cruisers. Here, a netted climbing attraction for young children located at the Boardwalk area of Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Some cruise lines are getting spacey with their deck-top offerings. A new virtual reality attraction called Sky Pad added to the top deck of Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas in 2018 lets passengers experience what it's like to bounce over moon craters. Tim Aylen

The outdoor decks of Symphony of the Seas also include the Sports Court, a fun zone that includes a miniature golf course, zip line, basketball court and two FlowRider surfing simulators. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among the most unusual deck-top attractions to have debuted on cruise ships in recent years are the enclosed bumper car rinks located at the top of Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class vessels. Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is the first and only line to offer a skydiving simulator at sea. They are found on the top decks of the line's Quantum Class vessels including Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. Royal Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line is behind one of the most unusual attractions to be added to a cruise ship in recent years: A peddle-powered "sky ride." It's found on the line's recently unveiled Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon. Carnival Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line's two newest ships, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, are home to what are billed as the first "water coasters" at sea. Dubbed AquaDuck, they're flume rides that twist and turn around the top decks of the vessels. Disney Cruise Line

The AquaDuck "water coasters" on Disney Cruise Line's Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are built with see-through acrylic tubes so that riders can see out over the ocean as they careen around the vessels. Disney Cruise Line

The top decks of Disney Cruise Line ships also are home to once-a-cruise fireworks displays. Disney was the first cruise line to offer regular fireworks shows above the top decks of its vessels. Matt Stroshane, Disney

One of the most unusual deck-top attractions unveiled on a cruise ship in recent years is NorthStar, a glass-enclosed observation deck on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas that rises high above the vessel on a mechanical arm. Royal Caribbean International

The NorthStar ride debuted in 2014 on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas. It has since been included on two more new Royal Caribbean ships, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. Royal Caribbean

MSC Cruises in the past year has joined Royal Caribbean in offering zip lines on its ships. The recently unveiled MSC Seaside has two zip lines emanating from circular rings at the top of the vessel. Aaron Saunders for USA TODAY

You even can find a country club-like "lawn club" with live grass and lawn games on some new cruise ships. Five of the newest Celebrity Cruises ships feature what's known as The Lawn Club. Celebrity Cruises

The Lawn Club grass is mowed every one to three days and kept at a height of between 10 and 15 millimeters. Putting, croquet and various activities are encouraged but no high heels, deck furniture or towels are allowed. Peter Knego

For the Lawn Club, a dozen species of grass were tested for sun, wind and sea exposure as well as foot traffic endurance. A multilayer cushion of growing media, filters and an irrigation system separates the grass from the steel decking. Peter Knego

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Perhaps the most unusual bars at sea are the "bionic bars" with robot bartenders found on several Royal Caribbean ships. The first one appeared in 2014 on the line's new Quantum of the Seas Michel Verdure

Royal Caribbean also is behind another one of the most-innovative drink spots found on a cruise ship: The Rising Tide Bar. It first debuted in 2009 on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and is now on four Oasis Class vessels. Simon Brooke-Webb / sbw-photo

The Rising Tide Bars on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships rise from a starting position in the interior Royal Promenade of the vessels on Deck 5 to an outdoor area on Deck 8. Simon Brooke-Webb / sbw-photo

At its highest point, the Rising Tide Bar is above the ceiling of the three-deck-high Royal Promenade found on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and other Oasis Class ships. Simon Brooke-Webb / sbw-photo

Another cruise line known for innovative and alluring bar concepts is Celebrity Cruises. The line's next new ship, Celebrity Edge, will feature a multi-story, glass-enclosed bar, food, lounge and entertainment venue called Eden that is creating a lot of buzz in the Cruise World. Shown here in an artist's drawing, it'll debut in November 2018 when Celebrity Edge begins sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Cruises

Among other stylish hideaways on Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Bliss is the A-list Bar. Its name is an oblique reference to Norwegian Cruise Line's current CEO Andy Stuart. Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise giant Carnival was the first North American brand to add a working brewery to one of its ships. Unveiled in 2016 on the then-new Carnival Vista, the RedFrog Pub & Brewery serves up craft beers made right on board. Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Vista launched with its own brewmaster, Colin Presby, who oversaw brewing at the RedFrog Pub & Brewery. Here, he poses with the brewing tanks on board the vessel. Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival ships also are known for their pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bars, where mixologists serve up "healing" concoctions using herbs, spices and other unusual ingredients. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

Some cruise operators, such as Cunard Line, stick with the traditional when it comes to bar venues. The Golden Lion Pub on the line's iconic Queen Mary 2 is classically British in feel and beloved for it. By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Proving Disney ships aren't just for kids, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream is home to one of the most elegant and upscale adult venues at sea, the Pink champagne bar. Matt Stroshane, Disney Cruise Line

Sports bars at sea have been getting an overhaul in recent years. Here, the recently unveiled Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade on Royal Caribbean's revamped Mariner of the Seas. Improved satellite technology is allowing cruise lines to pipe in a wide array of live sporting events to such venues. Tim Aylen